"Pretty close," responded the aviator. "We ought to be down fifteen minutes from now."
And his estimate proved very nearly correct. Soon the boys of the old Thirty-seventh could recognize the familiar landmarks of their own encampment, and, with one impulse, they gave three rousing cheers.
CHAPTER XIX
PUTTING ONE OVER
It was a beautiful landing that Dick Lever made at the aviation camp, his great machine sailing down like a swan and landing so lightly that it would scarcely have broken a pane of glass.
"Dick, you're a wonder!" exclaimed Frank, as he stepped out of the machine.
"The way you put it all over the Boche planes shows that," chimed in
Bart with equal enthusiasm.
"I don't wonder they say you're an 'ace,'" added Billy.
"If all aviators had your class, the Hun flyers wouldn't have a chance on earth—I mean in the sky," said Tom.
"Oh, it's all a matter of practice," said Dick modestly, although it was plain to be seen that their heartfelt appreciation pleased him. "It's as easy as running an automobile when you know how. Well, so long, fellows. I've got to make my report," and with a gay wave of the hand he left them and made his way to aviation headquarters.